Overview

"Crichton excells at storytelling." NEWSDAY In A.D. 922 Ibn Fadlan, the representative of the ruler of Bagdad, City of Peace, crosses the Caspian sea and journeys up the valley of the Volga on a mission to the King of Saqaliba. Before he arrives, he meets with Buliwyf, a powerful Viking chieftain who is summoned by his besieged relatives to the North. Buliwyf must return to Scandanavia and save his countrymen ...

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Overview

"Crichton excells at storytelling."
NEWSDAY
In A.D. 922 Ibn Fadlan, the representative of the ruler of Bagdad, City of Peace, crosses the Caspian sea and journeys up the valley of the Volga on a mission to the King of Saqaliba. Before he arrives, he meets with Buliwyf, a powerful Viking chieftain who is summoned by his besieged relatives to the North. Buliwyf must return to Scandanavia and save his countrymen and families from the monsters of the mist....

Basing his story on an actual ancient manuscript dating back to 922 A.D., the bestselling author of Rising Sun and Jurassic Park (both made into films) now retells the outrageous adventures of Ahmad Ibn Fadlan, who accompanies a party of Viking warriors to the barbaric north and witnesses their cold-blooded human sacrifices.

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Beowulf for modern audiences

It would seem the other reviewers failed to read the author's notes. Ibn Fadlan did write an account of his trip to Russia to see Vikings in A.D. 921 but Michael Crichton (on a dare!) fused that into a fictional retelling of Beowulf to make it exciting and accessible for modern readers. The fictional, pedantic manuscript we read is his artistic device. The majority of the book is not an ancient manuscript but a clever novel masquerading as an ancient manuscript. But all in all, I loved the book and the movie!

7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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This book is written with unerring historical accuracy. A *fine*

This book is written with unerring historical accuracy. A *fine* remake of Beowulf.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted September 28, 2012

Very good.

I likef the partabout the Danes not washing.

1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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Tommax

Posted July 20, 2011

Better than the movie

I recently read the book "Eaters of the Dead". The book is the predecessor to the movie The 13th Warrior, and after the movie was released the book was actually renamed "The 13th Warrior."

This book is an interesting view of the life and journeys of a man who was born and raised in the Arab culture and then was thrown into the culture of the Northmen. The turning point of the book comes when the main character, Ibn Fadlan, is called to go to battle with these Northmen who he barely knows and hardly understands. He is constantly amazed by the lack of fear and love for battle of these men, especially one who stands out as the groups leader known as Buliwyf. Buliwyf leads their group of men by example and even at one time says, "I have no fear of anything, even the callow fiend that creeps at night to murder men in their sleep." This fearlessness helps the group of men as they fight an unknown enemy that attacks at knight and in the mists when they cannot be seen, and feeds on the flesh of the dead.

Overall the book is very captivating and well written. It has parts that are slower to read, but it seems like these parts are always followed by chapters that fly by without you realizing you've even turned a page. The book was a fun read and a quick one too. I would suggest it to anyone who has seen the movie and enjoyed it. The parts that were quickly touched on in the movie are given more attention and detail in the book. One of my favorite things about the book was the parts that are lost in the picture of the movie, such as the smells or the building emotions are vividly described in the book to the point that I personally had to take breaks because my senses would become overwhelmed.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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EATERS a must read

Eaters of the dead is an amazing book from an amazing author. From start to finish the author takes you on an epic journey in the lives of the Vikings. There is great detail through out and one can easily visualize what is occuring in the novel. Easy and enjoyable reading for anyone...Highly recommended

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Why Rehash Beowulf?

I was looking forward to reading a history, made into a story, that would cast a new perspective on an ancient race. Instead I was stuck reading a rehashed version of Beowulf. Very disappointed

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted May 13, 2014

Not what i thought

Please read previous reviews on this book. It is not your average novel. I found it hard to get through the first chapter.

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manimal93

Posted October 11, 2010

A enjoyable book by a great author

This is a pretty good book, but not for everyone. It is translated from a manuscript found by Micheal Crichton. It accounts the travels of a muslim as he spends time and travels with vikings. I recommend this book to fans of old tales and fans of Micheal Crichton.

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JasonRobb

Posted April 4, 2010

Eaters of the Dead

Eaters of the Dead is a story about an Arab messenger who is sent on a mission by the Caliph of Baghdad. On his journey, he comes across a group of Viking warriors, and unwillingly joins their fight against the Eaters of the Dead. The Arab is now made a part of their army, and sent out with them on a journey to protect other clans in the barbaric North. Several fights ensue, and most of the thirteen warriors that were brought on the journey are killed. The conclusion of the story will have you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. The book shows many of the differences in cultures back in the earlier years of history. Something that the Vikings believe in will totally go against what the Arab messenger will believe in. Often times, the Vikings will make fun of the Arab for not being like them, and get a good joke out of how he has only one god of believe in. I really liked how all the characters were introduced, and how in went into more depth about the different customs that the different cultures. I didn't like how the book seemed to confuse you with all the different characters introduced at one time. I found it difficult to keep track of what was going on or who said what. I think that someone should read this book because it has an exciting story, and can keep you occupied for a few days. If anyone has seen or read Beowulf, they will be right at home with the book. The story is a different version of the poem. Throughout the book, numbers can be found after some words. The numbers lead you to a separate part of the book where everything is explained in more detail. If you are finding something confusing, just look at the bottom of the page, and the words are translated into a more modern way of speaking it. Michael Crichton is an awesome author, and he translated this story into a more understandable way of think about it. Overall, I think that Eaters of the Dead is a great story that most people will be able to sit down and enjoy for a couple hours of the day.

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Kooshmeister

Posted February 23, 2010

It is said, they eat the dead.

Being a not terribly avid reader, I saw the film The 13th Warrior first and enjoyed it immensely. When I learned it was based on a novel by Michael Crichton, I sought to obtain a copy. Eaters of the Dead is one of Crichton's shorter works, and is written in a very unusual style: specifically it is presented as if it were historical fact, from the point of view of Arab ambassador Ahmed Ibn Fadlan. This is both a strength and a weakness. It is a strength because it allows the reader to know pretty much everything about the main character, as Fadlan voices his innermost thoughts and opinions at great length, and a weakness because Fadlan can't write action to save his life. His descriptions of the Vikings' battles with the Wendol are pretty vague. Nevertheless, the gripping, suspenseful story coupled with the novelty of Crichton writing the novel as though it were historical truth, complete with footnotes, more than make up for the vaguely defined action scenes. The Vikings themselves are an interesting bunch. Leader Buliwyf is the typical stoic, manly man's man, but has moments of introspection and is clearly an intelligent man despite the savage lifestyle the Vikings lead, whilst Herger, the only Viking who is bilingual and can converse with Fadlan, is a bit one-dimensional, serving as little more than a mouthpiece for Buliwyf and the others, but fortunately, he doesn't grate. The rest of the Vikings are fairly interchangeable. Definitely one of Crichton's best. My one complaint is I don't like the subplot involving King Rothgar's son, Prince Wiglif, as it seems unnecessary and the swordfight Fadlan and Herger have with him and his herald at the end seems very anti-climactic after the final conflict with the Wendol. Nevertheless, such shortcomings are excusable and Eaters of the Dead is one of Crichton's best.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Eaters of the Dead (aka the 13th Warrier)

Eaters of the Dead is based on the epic poem Beowulf. It is hard to follow, although M.C. does his best. I am not a fan of Vikings, etc., which may have caused my rating. When making movies of his books, I do not believe they have ever done justice to them (Jurassic Park being the exception to the rule - but then again, it was directed by Spielberg [need i say more]). I did not see the film, maybe it is better than the book.

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Anonymous

Posted March 9, 2009

better than beowulf

michael chrichton said that this was an attempt to re-write beowulf, well he did a good job, this was a hell of a lot better, i know people are gonna say stuff like, "o, he just doesn't understand poetry," or "well look at the use of the english language back then". Whatever, i like a good entertaining story and this one kept me going. if you like a good adventure that takes your mind away to somewhere else this is a fantastic book. quick read also.

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D.R

Posted January 26, 2009

Eaters of the Dead_wow what a good book!

Eaters of the Dead is based on a journal/ script of the ambassador of the king of the great city of peace (Baghdad). The story takes place in the Anglo-Saxon era, with many references to animal of modern times to be monster of the past. The main character/ protagonist is the Arab Ibn Fadlan, an ambitious man in him late thirties. This story has a lot of dialogue, and also has much of action, violence, and gore.<BR/><BR/> Ibn Fadlan leaves the city of peace with a mission to make contact with the northerners and to inscribe the main events of his trip. One of the great descriptions of Ibn Fadlan is ¿Then, with a curdling scream to wake the dead, Buliwyf leapt up, and in his arms he swung the giant sword Runding, which sang like a sizzling flame as it cut the air. And his warriors leapt up with him, and all joined the battle. The shouts of the men mingled with the pig-grunts and the odors of the black mist, and there was terror and confusion and great wracking and rending of the Hurot Hall.¿ This was at the battle at King Rothar¿s territory against the dreaded dark mist and their fearless horsemen. This a awesome story for anyone who likes history and loves war.

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Anonymous

Posted October 5, 2006

Eaters of the Dead was great!

An Arab official has just been given the worst assignment of his entire career. He must venture with Vikings into their world and out of his. On his journey he will be forced to face his fears, battle horrible creatures, and just try to stay alive. One of his fears he must face is the barbaric ways in which the Vikings live, from their poor hygiene to their heathen ways of life. During the story the Arab and Vikings face horrific creatures said to be ferocious man like beasts who eat the bodies of the men they kill. The Vikings and the Arab find themselves surrounded by these creatures and must fight to save their lives. I found this book to be well written. It has a great plot, suspense to keep you on your toes, and it even teaches us about the history and lives of the Vikings. This book is written for those strong of heart, those who can stomach the many graphic battles and gore of the battlefield. The book holds your attention and makes you want to read the next page to know what happens. All-in-all I recommend this book to anyone interested in Viking folklore or to anyone who¿s just looking for a good action adventure story.

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Anonymous

Posted March 16, 2006

A Great Book

I first heard about the book after I saw the film 'The 13th Warrior' and I was really impressed with the book. The descriptions of the North men and their customs is vivid and you really fall into the details and feel like you're there.

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Anonymous

Posted September 26, 2005

A wonderful book

A great book better than I have read in a long time. I would like to state that this is nothing close to Beowulf I have read both, possibly by a different author, but They are two very different books. Though both are very good books...

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Anonymous

Posted May 12, 2005

A rousing adventure with an intriguing premise.

Fascinating. According to the author's 'factual note' at the end, the first three chapters of this book are indeed the manuscript of Ibn Fadlan, relating his experiences with the Northmen in A.D. 922. The tale that's spun from this beginning is fiction, but Crichton manages to mimic Fadlan's style so well that I found the transition seamless. Who might the 'wendol' of Northern legend have been, in truth? Crichton bases his story on one theoretical answer to that question. This richly detailed little book (compared to the lengths of his later works) took me along on Ibn Fadlan's adventure, and made me believe it real for as long as I stayed immersed. That's the best compliment I can give to any author.

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Anonymous

Posted October 26, 2004

wauw

This book is great. I have never read a book, wich descibes the vikins so alive and correct. It feels like you´r besides them, figthing their battles, and having their cellabrations. If you are a Scandinave, (wich I happen to be) or even if you have just seen some of the remains of the old vikingcastle or tombs, and liked it, you´ll love this book. The details on the wikingships, the houses, the boats, trelleborg (wich still exists), and the story of the adventures of ibn, is so PERFECT, that you almost wish you were a wiking. You gotto read this book.....(sorry about the bad writing, i´m just a stupid Dane)

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Anonymous

Posted October 29, 2004

AWSOME BOOK

This was an awsome book. IT had a good story to it. I would sugest reading it any day.

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Anonymous

Posted June 6, 2004

Good book but the movie was better

This was the first book I have read from Michael Crichton. It was a good story. The thing I liked about it was the fact that it is a true story written a thousand years ago. I liked the movie better, which usually isn't the case. But the book was real good in storytelling. I would have to say though the story went too fast and would have like to see it go more slowly. Granted the story was taken from written account of Ibn Fadlan's journeys. The book I feel gives more support to the movie, which cannot give all the details that the book can give. I look at the book as a good story and a historical account of a journey that happenned to one Ibn Fadlan one thousand years ago. I liked the description of the Vikings and their customs. How Ibn eventaully became a warrior and adopted the Viking ways. You see how he develops into a warrior like the Vikings. The book was a very good story, and gives good accounts of the vikings.

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